Collapsible container



Jan- 9, 1945 z. P. coDwELl. 2,366,770

4 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Jan. 8, 1944 H011. EQ2.

7 P 4 2% f f '2 4f e/m :59 6-- t v3 .5 6.. Y v -616/ ,-6` 7.. n i y 7:*7 -v/ 6 ve/ w Zezw P. Coimyeu I @43 Z1 4 MA Patented Jan. 9, 1945UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Zelma P. Cordwell,Glen Ridge, N. J.

Application January 8, 1944, Serial No. 517,479

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a collapsible container and more particularlyto a bellows type container with an improved closure as a part thereof,

Various types of receptacles generally available are manufactured inmany sizes but whennot in use occupy 'considerable storage space which,therefore, limits their utility. ularly true of cheap disposablereceptacles fabri- This is partie-- cated from paper, cardboard and thelike, which are sometimes used for household purposes. Also, in suchcontainers, 'simple and positive acting closure means have been lacking.

This invention-has as an object vthe provision of a collapsiblebellows-like container or receptacle which requires a minimum of storagespace when not in use but which `may be readily extended to receive avariety of materials. Another object is the provision of a collapsiblereceptacle which' is easily disposable together with the contents.Another object is the provision of a collapsible receptacle which may beemployed to ad lows-like container which may be tightly closed i toprevent loss or spillage of the contents. A still further and particularobject; of the invention is the provision of a couapsibie beuows-nkecontainerwhich has as a part thereof a unique and improved closuremeans, simple in construction but positive in its action. Other objectswill appear as the description of the invention proceeds. A

These objects are accomplished in accordance with the present inventionbymeans of an improved container consisting of a front and rear 4extendsldown partly over the hexagonal side 'of wall connected'by abellows or pleated element constructed so as to be closed on all sides,except the top, said walls bearingnotches or slits -positioned-in-theface thereof so as to receive cooperating retaining or locking hooks cutinto tabs which together with flaps of sullicient length to meet orpreferably overlap at the greatest extension ,of thecontainer form apart of the front t and rear walls. In the preferred embodiment of theinvention in order to strengthen the closure vided in that part of theflaps which are con. structed so as to fit over part of the side wallsof the bellows element and in this instance provision is made forvarious extensions byv a plurality of notches or slits in the'y faceofthe aps..

Referring now to the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 represents a plan view of identical front and rear walls withthe closing flaps and locking means shown in the tabs in the simplestform. Figures 2 and 3 are plan views of the front and rear walls for amodified embodiment with the closingl flaps illustrating closure meansfor bothv wall surfaces and for reinforcing locking means on the sideflaps which extend down over the upf per portion of the bellowselement.Figure 4 is a perspective view of the improved container,

with the flaps closing the top of the container and held in place in thefront and rear walls and on the side flaps over the bellows element bythe locking means more fully described hereinafter. In the' drawing, Iillustrates identical front and rear walls ofthe container shown to thehexagonal in shape which is the preferred fo. m. `The' flap 2 ofsufficient length to meet or overlap when the container is at itsgreatest extension is lsecured by creasing at the lines 3, 4 and 5 whichwhen folded .in the closed position covers and closes the top of thecontainer and extends down partly over the side of the bellows element.Tabs 6 forming a part of the Vflap 24 are adapted to extend a shortdistance over and across the front and rear walls I and are constructed.with locking or retaining hooks' 'l provided by merely cutting a hookinto the paper, cardboard or other material from which the container isconstructed to permit the engaging of the hooked portion of the tab inand with the slits 8 which preferably are constructed to slightlyprotrude at the top of the slit to'facil tf1-te engagement of theretaining hook 'I A plurality of slits in those portions of the flap rnf ne wall of the preferred construction which the container isillustrated by 9, These slits 9 may vary considerably in number and maybe positioned at intervals over the entire-length of the 4flap in orderto provide locking closuremeans at any extended position of thereceptacle. Those opposite wall carrying' the slits are provided with ,f

locking or retaining hooks ttl cut into the aps apo proximately similarto those shown in tabs 6 and serve to engage the slits i9 so as to aorda more secure closure for the receptacle.;

The supporting base l i, may be constructed at the bottom of only thefront and rear walls or all or part ofthe pleats forming the bellowselementv may likewise have this supporting base, a modification whichmay be desirable if the contents are heavy. The use of any supportingbase, however,

is optional but it is of advantage when the container is used forgarbage where some drainage is needed as provided by suitableperforations. The numeral l2 represents a plurality of joined pleatswhich forms the bellows element shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4.-, theside naps containing the slits 9 are shown as overlapping the side napsaseavro box. A specific and'important utility is that of a container forthe disposal of waste materials or kitchen garbage. If used for wastepaper the receptacle may be burned together with the paper and as asubstitute for the conventional unsightly sink pan, it offers numerousadvantages as a more sanitary means of garbage disposal. When used forthis purpose, no dumping and wrapping of the l garbage in paper isrequired. Instead, the cheap,

containing the retaining hooks it, but if desired,

' 9 and in this position, 'the engagement of the retaining hooks illwith the slits il is somewhat facilitated.

The improved container may be constructed of any suitable materialhaving proper strength and stiffness depending upon the specific utilityfor which it isconstructed. For example, it may be fabricated from heavypaper stock, cardboard, heavy gauge regenerated cellulose sheeting,cellulose' acetate sheeting or laminations of such materials to affordbetter stiffness and overall strength or sized and reinforced fabricmaterials. For many utilitiesit is also preferred that such materials bewaterproofed and/ or greaseproofed, properties which may be readilyobtained by coating or impregnating base materials such as suggestedabove with waxes and conventional greaseproofing lacquers. For economicreasons, particularly -when th-e improved receptacle is designed for Thebellows element may also be perforated l with any desired number ofholes at or near the bottom of the element to permit ready drainage ofliquids where desired, for example; if the receptacle is to be employedfor holding garbage.

In using and closing the container, it is pulled open from a flat,compact closed.position to the desired extent through vthe action of thebellows element, the contents placed in the interior and the containerthen closed by folding the aps 2 which form extensions lof the front andrear Walls down over the top and side of the container and then foldingthe tabs Glacross the face of the walls and engaging the retaining hooks'l in the cooperating slits 8. In the more secure closure which isdesirable for some purposes, the retaining hooks Il) are inserted into'the proper slits 9 after the side portions ofthe-naps are folded asindicated above.

The improved container has many diversified utilities such as storage offoods, clothing and other materials, since the adjustable features ofthe container combined with the improved closure means permits .spaceeconomizing packingy` When made of. heavy flexible materials and fittedwith suitable handles, it may be employed as a sanitary, neat-lookingcontainer is simply closed The improved container is characterized byseveral important'advantages. When collapsed and not in use it is quitecompact requiring only a minimum of storage space. It is yreadilyadjustable to greater volume for receiving materials but againeconomizes space since it need only to be extended to the volumeactually required for the added materials. It is cheap, strong andadapted for a wide variety of purposes. When used for garbage disposal,general sanitation is improved. A particular advantage resides in theunique closure means which provides positive and tighttting closing,thus avoiding loss or spillage of the contents'. The container may befabricated from cheap materials such as paper, cardboard, sized fabricsand the like, so that it may be discarded along with refuse and wastematerials at very low cost.

It is apparent that many widely different embodiments of the inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof; and,

' therefore, it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in theappended claims.

1. A collapsible container comprising front and rear walls connected bya pleated bellows element closed on all sides except the top, said wallscarrying yas an extension at the top and side thereof, foldable flapsforming part of said walls and of sufficient length to close the top ofthe bellows element when at its greatest extension and extending partlydownl over the side of said Aelement when folded, and foldable tabsforming a part of said flaps adapted to fold across the front and rearwalls and carrying hook retainers, said walls carrying slits forengaging hook retainers whereby to provide a locking closure.

2. A collapsible container comprising front and rear walls connected bya pleated bellows element closed on all sides except the top, said wallscarrying as an extension at the top and side thereof, foldable flaps'forming a part of said walls and of sufficient length to close the topof the bellows element when at its greatest extension and exretainersadapted to engage the Vslits on the flaps on the opposite wall andfoldable tabs forming a part of said flaps adapted to fold across thefront Y walls carrying slits for engaging the hook retaincollapsibletravelling bag, laundry holder or hat 1 and rear walls and carryinghookretainers, said ers in the tabs, whereby to provide a lsecurelylocking closure.

ZELMA P. CORDWfELL.

